eye allergies
What are eye allergies?
An allergy is an inflated immune response to a quite harmless substance, referred to as an allergen. Some common allergens include tree pollen, mold, dust, and pet dander. Patients who have allergies may have red, itchy, watery eyes after being exposed to these allergens.
An allergy is an inflated immune response to a quite harmless substance, referred to as an allergen. Some common allergens include tree pollen, mold, dust, and pet dander. Patients who have allergies may have red, itchy, watery eyes after being exposed to these allergens.
Allergies in your eye lead to Allergic Conjunctivitis - a condition in which the membrane that covers the whites and the inner lids of your eyes (the conjunctiva) becomes inflamed, irritated, red, and itchy due to hypersensitivity to these outside allergens.
What causes allergic conjunctivitis?
2 most common types of Allergic Conjunctivitis include:
2 most common types of Allergic Conjunctivitis include:
Seasonal allergic conjunctivitis only occurs seasonally. It is mostly due to exposure of the eye to foreign substances such as pollen from grasses, trees, and/or weeds. Some also refer to this as Hay fever. Many patients with hay fever also have nasal symptoms and congested sinuses.
Perennial allergic conjunctivitis persists throughout the year. It is usually due to exposure of the eyes to universally present domestic allergens such as molds, animal dander, dust mite feces and other environmental factors. Seasonal flare-ups can occur in either spring or fall, as a result of increased contact with molds and grasses but symptoms can occur year round.
What are the signs and symptoms of allergic conjunctivitis?
Eye allergy symptoms vary from person to person. Some of the most common symptoms are:
Eye allergy symptoms vary from person to person. Some of the most common symptoms are:
- Itchy eyes
- Watery eyes
- Eye redness
- Stringy discharge
- Skin of the eyelids show scales and crusts
- Eyes are light sensitive
How will Dr. Shah and Dr. Frohn determine if I have allergic conjunctivitis?
Our doctors perform thorough allergy evaluations on our patients. These allergy evaluations will include:
- A thorough medical history, this will help to distinguish allergies from other eye problems (e.g., bacterial conjunctivitis, a.k.a. "pink eye").
- A microscopic evaluation of the surface of your eyes, as well as the tissue underneath your eyelids (the most commonly missed site for signs of allergies).
Is going to a drug store and self-medicating bad for my eyes?
Most people affected by allergies will "self-medicate" with over the counter (OTC) products. However, OTC medications are often far less affective than prescription formulations. It has also been found that chronic use of some of these OTC products (such as vasoconstrictors, with or without antihistamines) can be toxic to the eyes, causing reactions that may take weeks to resolve once the product is stopped.
How will Dr. Shah and Dr. Frohn treat my allergic conjunctivitis?
Once our doctors determine that you in fact do suffer from eye allergies, they will create a personalized treament plan for you. Your treatment plan may include one or more of the following:
Once our doctors determine that you in fact do suffer from eye allergies, they will create a personalized treament plan for you. Your treatment plan may include one or more of the following:
Prescribing topical (eye drop) medications that approach allergies from two levels:
- One, antihistaminic relief of symptoms, and,
- Two, control of the underlying physiological reaction that leads to allergy symptoms, often providing relief within just a few days.
For severe symptoms, a steroid drop may be prescribed by Dr. Shah and Dr. Frohn for short term use.
Our doctors may also recommend cool compresses and lubricating drops since they can also provide some relief of symptoms.
Oral non-sedating prescription antihistamines can also be prescribed by Dr. Shah and Dr. Frohn which may help reduce ocular allergy symptoms.
Please call our office at (562) 866-2020 to set up an appointment for an eye exam and your personalized ocular allergy evaluation and let Dr. Shah and Dr. Frohn device a treatment plan that's right for you.